FirstCare STAR Program

Welcome to FirstCare STAR

Our goal is to give you quality care and a great network of doctors, specialists and hospitals. STAR members receive Medicaid health care benefits, including Texas Health Steps (THSteps) medical and dental checkups. For more details, call THSteps toll-free at 1-877-847-8377 or visit the THSteps website.

If you are not a member and you have questions about Medicaid, visit www.yourtexasbenefits.com to learn more. For help with choosing a Medicaid plan, call the STAR helpline at 1-800-964-2777, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. TTY users call 1-800-735-2989.

What is STAR?

STAR is a Medicaid program for low-income families, children, and pregnant women. When you join STAR, you pick a primary care provider (PCP) to manage your health care and treatment. You can pick any PCP in FirstCare’s STAR network. Your PCP can be a family doctor, general practitioner, obstetrician/gynecologist, internist, pediatrician, or a clinic.

How to Choose a Primary Care Provider

Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) must be a FirstCare STAR provider: To find a participating provider, you can do one of the following:

When you fill out your Enrollment Form, list the PCP you have chosen. There is a space on the form for the name and provider number. Your PCP will be the doctor in charge of your health care. Visiting the same doctor for checkups and when you are sick can help your doctor keep an eye on your health. You can go to a family planning, OB/GYN, behavioral health, and/or other health care provider. You do not need a referral by a PCP.

How to Change your Primary Care Provider

If you are unhappy with your current PCP, please call the FirstCare Customer Service department toll-free at 1-800-431-7798.

STAR Benefits

Below is a list of some of the health benefits you get with STAR:

Unlimited prescriptions

Doctor and clinic visits

X-rays and lab tests

Emergency and hospital care

Eye exams and glasses

Medical supplies and equipment

Care for mental health, drug, or alcohol problems

Family planning counseling and education

Pregnancy and childbirth care

Speech therapy

Occupational therapy

How do I access covered services?
What should I do if I have an emergency?

To access covered services, call FirstCare STAR Customer Service at 1-800-431-7798. If you are having an emergency and need immediate medical care, go to the nearest Emergency Room (ER) or call 9-1-1. If you do not have life threatening injuries or symptoms or do not need immediate medical care, call your PCP first. Your doctor can help you and give you advice.

Medical Transportation Program (MTP)

Medicaid can help you get a free ride or give you gas money to get to your children’s checkups. Call toll-free 1-877-633-8747 (1-877-MED-TRIP).

How do I replace my ID card if it is lost or stolen?

If you need to replace your ID cards, call FirstCare Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-431-7798 and we can assist you.

Member Portal

FirstCare members have access to our online Member Portal. Here, you can look up your claims, view your benefits and find important plan documents.

Free for FirstCare STAR members in the Lubbock area:

Childcare at Covenant Child Development Center in Lubbock. Call FirstCare at 1-800-431-7798 to learn more.

3 meals a day for one parent of a child in the hospital. Covenant hospitals only.

Access a Doctor, 24/7/365

FirstCare Virtual Care—powered by MDLIVE let’s you connect with a doctor from wherever you are. Find out more here.

Need Help?
Contact Us!

Call FirstCare STAR Customer Service at 1-800-431-7798.

We're open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding state approved holidays. If you call after hours, please leave us a message. We return all calls the next business day.

Our Customer Service Representatives speak both English and Spanish. If you speak another language, we can connect you with an interpreter. You can get information in larger print, audio (CD), braille, or in any other language format, if needed. For help, call FirstCare STAR Customer Service at 1-800-431-7798.

Members with hearing loss can call FirstCare’s TTY line 1-800-562-5259 or the Relay Texas number 7-1-1. Relay Texas is a free telephone interpreting service to help people with hearing or speech disabilities.

Resources

Find a Provider

Ask the Pharmacist

Have a question about a specific drug, or a drug benefit in your plan? Email our Pharmacist for the answers you need!

Talk to a Nurse—Nurse24™

Need care advice? Should you see a doctor? FirstCare members can talk to a nurse by calling 1-855-828-1013. Get answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Information is available in English and Spanish. Interpreter services available upon request. TTY users can call 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771. Voice communication is available at 1-800-955-8770.

Utilization Management

Ever wonder how we decide to authorize services? Our decisions are based on medical evidence and consensus of health care professionals. For more details, click here.